Edgefield Advertiser

Murder and Lynch Law in Mississippi.

The Natchez Courier of the 4th inst., contains the particulars of an atrocious murder in Jefferson county, Missi; with the summary execution of two of the murderers. It seems that a Mr. Wm. Boyd living near Torry's store, was about to correct one of his negroes for some offence, when the fellow turned upon his master and was about to overpower him. The latter called upon two negro women, who were at work in the same field for assistance, but instead of helping they fell upon him with their hoes and soon put him to death. The three negroes secreted the body of Mr. B. in a brush heap and in two days time it beginning to smell they removed it to a log pile, set every thing on fire, and burnt the body to ashes. The negroes, suspecting that the absence of their master would soon be known, assumed boldness enough to tell some of his neighbors—that Mr. B. had been absent for some days—that his horse had come up saddled, bridled, &c. and that they suspected foul play.

A search was immediately instituted by the neighbors, and after some time they came upon the spot in the field where the combat had taken place between Mr. Boyd and the negroes. One thing led to another until the negroes were all arrested when they acknowledged their crime as stated above:—The excitement among the people assembled was very great. About one hundred persons were collected on Friday last, 31st ult. one week, from the day of the murder. They appointed a jury of eighteen men to decide what should be done with the negroes. Fourteen of the jury were for hanging the negroes and four against it.—Two of the negroes, the man and one of the women were hung instantly. The other woman being pregnant was spared.